Monitoring migration

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) gathers data concerning migration flows (including data analysis and research), and disseminates information about migration to potential migrants, and governments of both receiving and migration-out countries. Since 1983, IOM has operated a Centre for Information on Migration in Latin America (CIMAL). CIMAL compiles publications on migration and transfer of human resources, institutions, experts and projects in Latin America, and provides migration data to interested users. In 1991, IOM established an Information Programme in Romania. The Programme investigated the reasons for which Romanians planned to leave or had already left the country. Films have been shown on national television and a twice weekly-programme has been aired on the radio about migration issues. A year later, a joint IOM/UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Information Programme for Albania (IPA) was set up to seek the reasons that had led to the mass exodus from the country. Both programmes aimed to discourage irregular and hazardous departures, as well as to provide sound advice to those contemplating emigration. A study on "Profiles and Motives of Potential Migrants in Albania, Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine" was conducted by IOM in 1992. 1,000 people were surveyed in each country. The IOM is planning to establish a Migration Information Programme (MIP) to focus on countries in central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that produce or have become transit countries for migrants. MIP intends to profile those migrants, and provide information to both exodus and receiving countries.

In 1992, the IOM began a research project for the "Analysis of Present and Future Emigration Pressures", focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa; South Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean.

Between 1983 and 1986, the IOM in collaboration with a USA university carried out a Hemispheric Migration Project to investigate the causes and consequences of spontaneous migration in Latin America and the Caribbean. The purpose was to better understand factors determining migration and to promote the inclusion of a migration element into agreements concluded at multi-lateral levels. In 1993, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the IOM jointly undertook a study on a "Migration Information System for the Formulation of Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean" with the eventual goal to set up a regional migration information system. Like most other activities concerning monitoring and informing about migration issues, the above mentioned regional information system would research international migratory movements and the socio-demographic and economic characteristics of migrants in the region. This information would then be disseminated to those countries and peoples concerned. IOM is working towards establishing integrated migration information activities with other organizations or parties in the field.

Other organizations informing about migration issues include inter alia: European Community (EC)/Statistical Office (EUROSTAT); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)/SOPEMI Mediterranean Information Exchange System on International Migration and Employment; the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)/Rapid Information System on International Migration and Employment.